Reconfiguration of BARMM districts completed
Reconfiguration of BARMM districts completedCOTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Bangsamoro parliament approved before dawn Tuesday, January 13, a bill reconfiguring the 32 parliamentary districts in the autonomous region, a requisite its first-ever elections since its creation in 2019. It also established three parliamentary districts in Cotabato City and two in the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area (SGA) in Cotabato province in Region 12. “This bill was crafted to directly address the legal issues raised by the Supreme Court pertaining to the setting up of the parliamentary districts in the Bangsamoro region,” Sinarimbo said. All 80 members of the BARMM parliament are functioning as presidential appointees, without electoral mandate, since the region’s creation in 2019. BARMM, a product of 22 years of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, replaced in 2019 the then 27-year less empowered Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 12:37 UTC
This viral Chinese app helps people check if their loved ones are still alive
This viral Chinese app helps people check if their loved ones are still aliveLiving alone can be frightening, especially for senior citizens whose health may be declining, but one viral app is changing how families and friends stay connected and ensure their loved ones are safe. or "Demumu" internationally, the mobile app was developed by Moonscape Technologies and was first launched in China back in May last year. The app requires users to designate an emergency contact and complete a daily check-in via the central green ghost button. In its Apple App Store listing, the app is touted to "make solitary life more reassuring." Moonscape Technologies
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 12:22 UTC
South Korean prosecutors set to demand heavy sentence for Yoon
Pedestrians walk past a banner showing a picture of South Korea's former impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee displayed by Yoon's supporters near the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul on January 9, 2026, as Yoon's final criminal trial on insurrection charges is held in the court. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2026 11:35 UTC
French museum fare hikes for non-European tourists spark outcry
Photo by MARTIN LELIEVRE / AFP Tourists stand behind barriers blocking the access to the Louvre main courtyard, La Cour Napoleon, with the Louvre Pyramid, designed by Chinese-US architect Ieoh Ming Pei, as the Louvre Museum is closed due a strike, in Paris, on January 12, 2026.
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2026 11:25 UTC
North Korea's Kim revamps private security detail, South says
This picture taken on January 5, 2026 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) via KNS on January 6, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) planting a tree at the construction site of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at the Overseas Military Operations in Pyongyang. (Photo by AFP)
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2026 10:55 UTC
DOE says Solar Philippines' contract failures cost P24 billion
DOE says Solar Philippines' contract failures cost P24 billionThe company said solar power supply is highest at midday, when power demand also peaks. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) said Solar Philippines could incur P24 billion in penalties and financial obligations for failing to comply with its contractual commitments over the past several years. Solar Philippines Holdings secured its contracts through the DOE’s green energy auction program. Some of the projects awarded to the firm in 2025 include solar power projects in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, where its solar farms are located. According to the company's site Solar Philippines currently has 300 megawatts of generating capacity across 10,000 hectares of land for its solar farms.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 10:13 UTC
Apple chooses Google's Gemini AI to power Siri
Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP This combination of pictures created on January 12, 2026 shows, L,R, a picture taken in center Milan on May 30, 2019 showing the logo of American multinational company Apple and a Google logo pictured at a press conference in Berlin on November 11, 2025.
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2026 10:10 UTC
UK regulator opens probe into X over sexualised AI imagery
Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE / AFP This photograph taken on January 13, 2025 in Toulouse shows screens displaying the logo of Grok, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, the American company specializing in artificial intelligence and it's founder South African businessman Elon Musk.
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2026 09:59 UTC
Why is Myanmar's junta holding an election during a civil war?
Why is Myanmar's junta holding an election during a civil war? Myanmar soldiers from the 77th light infantry division walk along a street during a protest against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, February 28, 2021. Picture taken February 28, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
Source:The Standard
January 13, 2026 08:41 UTC
Recharge your body and soul, Hong Kong style
Recharge your body and soul, Hong Kong styleStand-up paddling is a popular activity on the coastlines of rural villages Yung Shue O and Sham Chung. And if you find yourself in Hong Kong at the start of 2026, you've just ticked the first item off your self-care to-do list. The feeling of the wind, the beautiful scenery of Hong Kong, seeing the wildlife, such as the pink dolphins. Designed for calorie burns“The wonderful thing about Hong Kong is how easy it makes it for anyone to embrace an active lifestyle,” said Ryan Maniago, 50, a Hong Kong local for the past 25 years. Lion Rock and Pat Sin Leng are also epic hikes, as is Tai Mo Shan, the highest peak in Hong Kong,” he added.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 08:34 UTC
‘Epal’ politicians putting their face everywhere may face suspension
But with LGUs being granted more money and autonomy, could epal politicians keep their faces off vital government projects? “tyong anti-epal campaign, hindi ho sa amin nakasalalay iyan kung hindi sa mamamayan. (The anti-epal campaign, it is not just up to us but to the citizens. Remulla said that politicians caught violating these anti-epal policies may face administrative sanctions, which may include suspension. “We do not have a codified conduct for the Anti-Epal campaign.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 07:32 UTC
Philippines seeks return of Zaldy Co from Portugal
Philippines seeks return of Zaldy Co from PortugalMANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:50 p.m.) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants a study of all the possible means to return resigned House lawmaker Zaldy Co to the Philippines — from special repatriation to the creation of an extradition treaty with Portugal. An extradition treaty is a formal agreement between countries that they will return a person accused of crimes to their home nation for trial. “Nagbigay na ng instructions ang president na formally mag-apply na kami ng extradition treaty sa kanila kahiit wala pang formal extradition treaty between the two countries. But through Interpol (International Police), mag request na kami ng repatriation ni Zaldy Co kung nasa Portugal talaga siya,” Remulla said. The president instructed [us] to study the possibility of applying for extradition of Zaldy Co with Portugal," Remulla said.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 06:59 UTC
Disneyland’s viral Evil Queen confirms departure after 8 years
Sabrina Von B, the actress who has gone viral for her portrayal of Snow White's Evil Queen at Disneyland, confirmed that she has now been terminated from the theme park after eight years working with them. "It was a dream getting to do my own spin on a character that really wasn't popular or viral or well-known before videos of me really started going around," she said. "I read a lot of comments about people saying they would've never loved this character, but now it is their favorite character. While she also played other villainous characters such as Maleficent, Agatha Harkness and Lady Tremaine, she most commonly portrayed the Evil Queen. As the character, Sabrina would roam around the park and try to interact with the guests in her Evil Queen persona, often engaging in savage roasts and hilarious insults.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 06:58 UTC
Calling all book lovers: Here's where you can score good reads as low as P99
Going on a reading spree this year? If you're looking to up your reading this 2026, you'd be happy to know that you can buy books as low as P99 for a limited time. National Bookstore's Warehouse Sale is being held in one of its Greenhills branches until March 31. Aside from good reads, the sale also includes discounted items like stationery, school supplies, and beyond. The offer is available at National Bookstore's branch located on the second floor of Virra Mall at Greenhills Shopping Center.
Source:Philippine Star
January 13, 2026 06:58 UTC